Aproko Doctor Warns Against Using Untreated Borehole Water to Rinse Mouth

Nigerian doctor and health educator Chukwuma Okoro, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has warned Nigerians against using untreated borehole water to rinse their mouths, saying contaminated water could expose people to bacteria associated with peptic ulcers.

Okoro gave the warning in a video shared on X on Monday, urging people to pay closer attention to the source and safety of water used for oral hygiene, particularly water drawn from household boreholes.

According to the health educator, untreated water can potentially contain Helicobacter pylori, commonly known as H. pylori, a bacterium strongly associated with peptic ulcers. He explained that the bacterium can damage the protective lining of the stomach, allowing stomach acid to contribute to ulcer formation.

Medical evidence supports H. pylori infection as one of the major causes of peptic ulcers. The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases also identifies certain painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen and naproxen, as another common cause.

Aproko Doctor said people should be particularly cautious where boreholes are poorly constructed or located close to wastewater systems such as soakaways. He noted that contamination can occur when water sources and wastewater systems are not properly separated or maintained.

Research has also documented bacterial contamination in groundwater in parts of Nigeria. A 2025 study of groundwater in Funtua, Katsina State, for example, found faecal contamination above recommended limits and linked it to factors including pit-latrine seepage and runoff.

However, scientists have not established contaminated water as the definitive primary route through which people acquire H. pylori. Research suggests water may be one possible route of transmission, alongside other routes involving contaminated food and bodily fluids.

Okoro advised people who are uncertain about the safety of their household water to treat it before using it, including for rinsing the mouth. He recommended options such as boiling, proper filtration or appropriate disinfection, depending on the water source and treatment method.

He also warned that ulcers have causes beyond H. pylori, pointing to frequent or excessive use of drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, as well as smoking, as factors that can contribute to ulcer problems. People experiencing persistent stomach pain or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, including black or tarry stools, should seek medical attention rather than self-treating.